Histopathology of minor salivary gland biopsies in Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome combined to rheumatoid arthritis

Background: The minor salivary gland biopsy is an important diagnostic criterion of Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome. Objective: To describe histopathological characteristics of minor salivary gland of Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome combined to rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects and method: A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 108 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who treated at Department of Rheumatology of Bach Mai hospital, from 1998 to 2003. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 50 patients with Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome and 58 patients without Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome. Results: Characteristics of minor salivary gland biopsy were lymphocytic infiltration of minor salivary glands (96%) with various distribution: periductal (86%), periacinic (72%), perivascular (36%). 78% of cases were plasmocytic infiltration, with periductal distribution (70%). 82% of cases were 3, 4 stages according to Chilsom clsssification. 67.5% of cases had ductal abnormality, glandular atrophy (62%), vascular edema (58%). Conclusion: Incidence of 3, 4 stages according to Chilsom classification was 82% in rheumatoid arthritis patients with Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome.

Clinical characteristics of tophi and its relationships with other manifestations of chronic gout at Department of Rheumatology, Bach Mai hospital

Background: Tophi is an important symptom of chronic gout. Objective: To assess clinical characteristics of topbi and its relationships with other manifestations of chronic gout. Subjects and method: A study was conducted in 65 patients diagnosed chronic gout based on Bennett and Wood criteria 1968, with tophi, treated at Department of Rheumatology, Bach Mai hospital, from December 2003 to June 2004. This was a retrospective, prospective, cross-sectional study. Results and conclusions: All patients were males and the average age was 57.8 \xb1 11.71 years. 72.3% of patients aged from 30 to 59 years. The average time of occurrence of tophi in chronic gout was 7.73 years. The mean number of tophi was 24.8 \xb1 9.4 (ranged from 1 to 70). Erosion of tophi occurred 25%. 92.9% of patients had distribution in inferiors limbs and 80.4% had superior limbs. There were relationships between number of tophi and renal lesions, distribution of tophi and number of painful joints.

Clinical and subclinical characteristics of dry mouth in Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome after rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder with two remarkable symptoms such as dry eyes and dry mouth. Objective: To study the symptoms of dry mouth of Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome after rheumatoid arthritis; To evaluate clinical and subclinical manifestations of dry mouth. Subjects and method: A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 160 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who treated at Department of Rheumatology of Bach Mai hospital, from 1998 to 2003. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 60 patients with Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome and 100 patients without Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome. Results: The average age of patients with Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome was 54.55 \xb1 10.91 years. The mean time of having dry mouth was 8.65 \xb1 8.39 months. Clinical manifestations of dry mouth were sensation of dry mouth (90%), lost of saliva (80%), drink a lot of water while eating (58.3%), enlargement of parotid glands (15%). Degrees of dry mouth were mild and moderate (36.7%), severe (53.3%). 93.3% of patients decreased total salivary flow.82% of patients had 3 and 4 anatomopathologic stages according to Chilsom classification. Conclusion: Incidence of symptoms of dry mouth was higher significantly in the rheumatoid arthritis patients with Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome than those without Gougerot-Sj\xf6gren syndrome.

Preliminary identification to the correlation between anti\u2013CCP2 antibodies and some factors in rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints. Objectives: The study have two purposes: (1) Identify the sensitivity of anti - CCP2 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. (2) Identify the correlation between anti - CCP2 antibodies and clinical manifestations, laboratory features of rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects and method: The study was carried out on 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from March to July 2006 in rheumatology department at Bach Mai hospital. All they were diagnosed according to the criteria of American College of Rheumatology 1987. Results: Results of study showed that: (1) The sensitivity of anti - CCP2 antibodies is 67.1% (2) The sensitivity of anti - CCP2 antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 67.1 % and is as high as the sensitivity of rheumatoid factor. In early stage of disease (the duration of disease under 12 months) the sensitivity of anti - CCP2 antibodies is higher than rheumatoid factor (70% versus 57.5%). There are no significant differences between the group having anti - CCP2 antibodies and the group who did not have anti - CCP2 anti- bodies in any stages of disease about Ritchie index, DAS - 28 index, X - rays, erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the first hour, CRP ratio. Conclusions: The sensitivity of anti - CCP2 antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 67.1 %. There is the relation between anti - CCP2 antibodies and the severity of the inflammation and the severity of X - rays.